Boat Stealing

• Imagery


  Vivid descriptions of scenes, sounds, and emotions to create a mental image, as seen in the poem's descriptions of light.
• Nature's glory


  The beauty and majesty of the natural world, sparking inspiration, escape, and connection within the narrator.
• Contrast


  The juxtaposition of initial bright descriptions (light) with the darker and less beautiful events that follow, creating a contrast between the narrator's desire for nature's glory and the reality of his situation.
• Disillusionment


  The feeling of disappointment or letdown when the reality does not meet the narrator's expectations, as he finds himself caught in the act of stealing the boat instead of immersing himself in nature's glory.
• Physical Reality


  The external circumstances that disrupt the narrator's internal desire to immerse himself in nature's sublime glory, forcing him to confront the harsh truth.
• Loss of Innocence


  The narrator's experience in the poem, where he faces reality and loses his initial innocence, gaining maturity and a deeper understanding of the world.
• Consequences


  The outcomes or results of the narrator's action (stealing the boat) that affect him and disrupt his initial desire to immerse himself in nature's glory.
• Emotional Turmoil


  The narrator's inner conflict as he faces the consequences of stealing the boat, experiencing a mix of emotions including guilt, regret, and possibly even a sense of freedom.
• Confronting Reality


  The narrator's experience of facing the harsh truth and external circumstances, including the consequences of stealing the boat, which disrupts his initial desire to immerse himself in nature's glory.
• The Darkness Within


  The narrator's inner struggle with guilt, shame, and regret as he confronts the consequences of stealing the boat and must face the harsh realities of his situation.
• Loss of Sense of Self


  The narrator's realization that his actions have led to a loss of his sense of identity, causing him to disconnect from his own values, beliefs, and sense of self.
• Exile and Isolation


  The narrator's experience of being physically and emotionally distant from others, leading to a sense of exile and isolation.
• Initial light imagery


  The poem begins with descriptions of moon, shining lake, and moonlight to create a beautiful scene.
• Wistful tone


  The narrator's desire to be in nature, surrounded by the beauty of the moon and stars, creates a sense of wistfulness.
• Rebellious tone


  The act of stealing the boat implies a sense of defiance or rebellion, as the narrator is taking something that doesn't belong to him.
• Tone and Meaning


  Tone can either enhance or diminish the meaning of the poem, making it more or less convincing.
• Tone and Memory


  Tone can influence how the reader remembers the poem, making it more or less memorable.
• Narrator's Motivation


  The narrator's desire to immerse himself in nature's glory is motivated by the beauty and majesty of the scene, as described through the references to light and the natural world.
• Beautiful Scene with References to Light


  Despite being set at night, the poem initially focuses on descriptions of light, creating a beautiful scene and emphasizing the importance of nature's glory to the narrator.
• Joy/Enthusiasm


  The narrator seems to be fully immersed in the beauty of the scene, using the boat to connect with nature, which suggests a sense of joy or enthusiasm.
• Conflict/Tension


  The narrator is stealing the boat, which suggests that he may be experiencing some level of conflict or tension, possibly related to his own desires or the consequences of his actions.
• Other Emotions


  The narrator may be experiencing awe, wonder, or tranquility, which could be more fitting given the beauty of the scene.
• What is the initial setting of the poem?

  Set at night
• What references to light are present in the poem?

  The moon is up and the lake shines
• How does the narrator feel about stealing the boat?

  He risks it to immerse in nature
• What happens after the narrator encounters the ‘huge cliff’?

  He feels cut off from light and beauty
• What does the cliff symbolize for the narrator?

  A profound effect on his experience
• How does the narrator's mood change after the encounter?

  His thoughts become dim and dark
• What oxymoron does Wordsworth use in the poem?

  ‘Troubled pleasure’
• What does ‘troubled pleasure’ suggest about the narrator's feelings?

  He has conflicting emotions about stealing
• What does the ‘huge cliff’ represent in the poem?

  A growing awareness of life's complexities
• How does Wordsworth personify the mountain?

  It ‘Upreared its head’ and ‘Strode after me’
• What does the simile ‘like a living thing’ imply?

  The peak represents a perceived threat
• What form is the poem written in?

  Blank verse
• What meter is commonly associated with blank verse?

  Iambic pentameter
• How does the poem's structure reflect its content?

  It sounds naturalistic, sharing private thoughts
• What is ‘Boat Stealing’ a section of?

  The Prelude
• What marks the change in the poem's tone?

  The volta on line 26
• How does the narrator's action of ‘struck’ change in meaning?

  From excitement to panic
• What does the repetition of ‘struck’ signify?

  Contrast in the narrator's state of mind